For the North Carolina Tar Heels, revenge at the College World Series was sweet.

UNC knocked out Atlantic Coast Conference rival North Carolina State on Thursday night in an elimination game, 7-0. The Wolfpack had beaten the Heels in the Series opener on Sunday, 8-1.

North Carolina advances to play UCLA on Friday for a berth in the championship finals. UNC must beat the Bruins twice under the CWS's double-elimination format to play for the title. The second game would be played Saturday if the Heels win Friday.

Hobbs Johnson combined with Chris McCue on a five-hit shutout for UNC (59-11), the top seed in the tournament.

Johnson allowed five singles, walked two and struck out six before leaving with one out in the ninth.

"Just an incredible performance. We really needed it. He gave us exactly what we needed," UINC coach Mike Fox said.

Johnson (5-1), a 14th-round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, bounced back from a dismal start in the super regionals against South Carolina. He lasted just 1 2-3 innings and gave up five runs in an 8-0 loss that day.

But he had turned in a strong start the last time he faced the Wolfpack, and he did again Thursday. He relied on a fastball that reached the low 90s to keep the Wolfpack (50-16) in check. He got an assist from a 22-mph wind blowing in at a ballpark that has surrendered only two home runs through 10 CWS games.

"Every single pitch he threw was a fastball. Even when McCue came in, he threw one changeup and it was supposed to be a fastball," North Carolina catcher Brian Holberton said. "We just went right after them and wanted them to put the ball in play and let our defense work."

Michael Russell drove in three runs, the first on a sacrifice fly that resulted in a close play at the plate to open the scoring in the fourth inning.

N.C. State right fielder Jake Fincher made a perfect throw home, but the headfirst-sliding Holberton touched the plate with his right hand just ahead of catcher Brett Austin's tag.

Austin bounced his mask off the ground and Rodon, backing up on the play, threw his glove in the dirt as State coach Elliott Avent bolted out of the dugout to confront umpire Joe Burleson. TV replays appeared to support Burleson's call.

Burleson, wearing a television microphone, told Avent that Holberton beat the tag.

"You really believe that, Joe?" Avent asked.

"I do," Burleson said before warning Avent he would eject him if he didn't quit following him.

After the game, Avent said he didn't get an adequate explanation.

"He was kind of hard to talk to," Avent said. "I certainly didn't want to get thrown out on this stage, at this great event. Maybe the guy's hand got in. The ball just beat him, so maybe we didn't block the plate well enough."

N.C. State's Carlos Rodon started on three days' rest after throwing 108 pitches in Sunday's win over North Carolina. He gave up two runs on four hits and threw 80 pitches in his five innings.

Avent originally planned to start Brad Stone. Rodon (10-2) was scheduled to throw an extended bullpen session Thursday, but Avent and pitching coach Tom Holliday scrapped it and decided to go with Rodon and give him a 75-pitch count.

Rodon, who held the Tar Heels hitless into the fifth inning on Sunday, had his fastball humming in the mid-90s but wasn't as dominating.